EMMY HEADLINES
Jason Sudeikis Ousted From Emmy Consideration for Fox’s ‘Last Man On Earth’
When the 2016 Primetime Emmy ballots went online Monday, Jason Sudeikis was included among the list of guest actors in a comedy series for his critically acclaimed turn on Fox’s The Last Man On Earth. There’s just one problem: Under Emmy rules, Sudeikis isn’t a guest star. (VAR)
The Top Never-Would-Have-Thought-That Oddities Found on the Emmy Ballot
The race for the 2016 Emmys has officially begun. We already knew about some of the season’s more unusual contenders — like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey’s joint submission as guest actress for hosting Saturday Night Live, but Variety perused some of the top categories to find more inevitable oddities, including surprise inclusions (Doctor Who!) and exclusions (sorry, Manhattan). (VAR)
OTHER HEADLINES
‘Finding Dory’? Try ‘Finding Money’ as Film Swims to Record $9.2 Million on Thursday Night
Pixar and Disney’s animated sequel Finding Dory swam to a huge $9.2 million in Thursday previews as the film heads to a strong domestic debut north of $100 million. It’s a record for a Thursday preview for an animation title, beating Minions, Despicable Me 2 and Diseny-Pixar hits Toy Story 3 and Inside Out. (THR)
Inside the Film Studio Politics at Play with the Fox Executive Shake-Up
Stacey Snider takes the top job as 21st Century Fox leaders James and Lachlan Murdoch usher in a new era at the studio with a succession plan announced to quash chatter about Snider’s lack of a defined role. Stacey Snider became the first woman to head two major motion picture studios on Thursday, when 20th Century Fox announced she will succeed Jim Gianopulos as the company’s top film executive. (THR)
Filmmaker Tara Miele in the Spotlight After ‘Meet a Muslim’ Video Hits it Big Thanks to WME
Just as presumptive Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump renewed his pledge to stop allowing Muslims to enter the U.S. in the wake of last weekend’s Orlando nightclub massacre, a short film called Meet A Muslim has created a viral groundswell and become part of the discussion. (DL)
Orlando Bloom Joins Action Thriller ‘Smart Chase: Fire & Earth’ Set in Scorching Hot Location, China
Orlando Bloom has joined the cast of Smart Chase: Fire & Earth, a Shanghai-set action-packed thriller that will be directed by French helmer Julien Seri (Night Fare). The movie is being produced by Paris-based Eskwad (Zulu) and Chinese outfit Bliss Media. Bloom is also co-producing via newly-launched venture BlissBloom Productions. (VAR)
Dubai-based Front Row Sets Up Ambitious Release Slate, Acquiring Halle Berry Starrer ‘Kings’ Among Others
Dubai-based distributor Front Row Films has closed a number of buzzy deals coming out of Cannes as it continues to push forward with its ambition of becoming the leading indie distrib in the Middle East. (DL)
China’s Huanxi Media Cancels $50 Million Investment in Working Title Backed MUBI
New Chinese media group Huanxi Media has announced the cancellation of its agreement to go into business with MUBI, a curated subscription on demand service from the U.S. and U.K. It offered no reasons for the cancellation of the deal, nor any explanation of the direction of the ongoing talks with MUBI. (VAR)
Amidst Shuffle, ‘Furious 7′ Helmer James Wan Will Direct Pilot for Rejiggered ‘MacGyver’
CBS’ new fall series MacGyver, a reimagining of the 1985 show about a resourceful and ingenious agent, is getting its original director, James Wan. Here is a glimpse at the changes in the concept of the rebooted series. (DL)
Screenplay: ‘Bulworth’
Warren Beatty stars as a politician who rises in popularity due to his, well ‘politically incorrect’ talk. Here’s the logline- A suicidally disillusioned liberal politician puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters by affecting the rhythms and speech of hip-hop music and culture. (LF)